US EditionKyle Larson wins second NASCAR championship, denying Denny Hamlin
Larson secured his second title by finishing third after a late caution caused by Byron's crash led to an overtime sprint, with Hamlin finishing sixth after 20 seasons.
- On Sunday, Kyle Larson, the Hendrick Motorsports driver, won the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway, finishing third to deny Denny Hamlin his first title and become a two-time champion.
- A late-race caution for William Byron's flat tire sent the finale into overtime, with Hamlin taking four tires and Larson two, placing Larson fifth and Hamlin 10th for the two-lap sprint.
- Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver, dominated most of the day, leading 208 of 319 laps from the pole but finished sixth, three laps short of his first championship after 20 full-time seasons.
- Ryan Blaney won the race in overtime, notching his fourth victory of the 2025 season, while the four-driver championship format determined the season champion by best finish.
- Hamlin's bid ended in heartbreak, marking his sixth shot at a title as he sat motionless then collapsed into the arms of his Joe Gibbs Racing crew.
108 Articles
108 Articles
Devastating Heartbreak for Denny Hamlin Should Lead to Change in NASCAR Playoff Format
Denny Hamlin was three laps away from the biggest win of his career – and then ten laps later (including 10 laps of an overtime period), it all fell apart to the most devastating loss he’s ever suffered. In the fifth Championship Four edition of his 21 years in the Cup Series, Hamlin did everything he needed to do to win, including leading a race-high 208 laps. Even Kyle Larson, who ultimately stole the title away from Hamlin, said the No. 11 To…
Kyle Larson outlasts Denny Hamlin to win second career NASCAR Cup Series championship
The final race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season came down to the wire at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday in Avondale, Arizona with Kyle Larson outlasting Denny Hamlin to win the championship.
Kyle Larson steals NASCAR Cup Series Championship, delivers heartbreak for Denny Hamlin
Kyle Larson was well behind Denny Hamlin as the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race was coming down to the final laps on Sunday evening at Phoenix Raceway, but fellow contender William Byron caused a caution when one of his tires blew.Larson went to the pits to get some fresh tires and the quick stop allowed him to get better track position, whereas Hamlin’s stop was slower and he fell from first place all the way back to 10th. In overtime, with…
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